Creative Holiday Money Saving Ideas

With the holidays approaching fast, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to pay for it all. There is decorating to do, parties to attend, travel to plan, and holiday shopping to do. Don’t worry, there are ways to save money without having to scrimp on the holiday spirit. Here are a few helpful ideas to help you along with your holiday spending.

Photo by: all in green

Holiday Decorating

It is possible to have high-quality decorations without spending too much. Here are a few ideas to save money on your holiday decorating:

• Refurbish old decorations.
• Shop at yard sales and online auctions.
• Buy basic decorations, such as wreaths, ribbon and candles, at dollar and discount stores.
• Make your own decorations. Check out the Organized Christmas website for great ideas.
• Start shopping after Christmas and getting some major decorations you have always wanted at huge discounted prices.

Hosting a Party

Keep in mind that the purpose of having a holiday party is to socialize with your friends and colleagues, NOT to go overboard and try to impress. Maybe this is the year for everyone to bring a dish or just have a dessert or hors d’oeurves party, or maybe just a cookie swap. After you decide what type of party you want to host, here are some ways to save money.

• Make your own invitations to mail out or use online invitation services to create FREE email invitations, and your guest can respond to the invitation online!
• Use simple decorations that you already have, or just spruce up some of the old ones. Pick a focal point, like your dining room table to create a centerpiece that draws attention, and don’t worry about everywhere else.
• Remember the earlier helpful hints, make a list and cut coupons.
• Start buying a few things ahead of time that may be on sale, such as paper products, nuts, crackers and any nonperishable goods you may be using. If you have a list, this will be easy!
• Buy store brand instead of name brand goods. Many times these items can be half the price of name brand goods.

Photo by: vendrán mañana

Holiday Shopping

The most important way to save money when you go to buy holiday gifts is to make a list of who you need to buy for and how much you want to spend, and stick with it! Also, don’t forget the pointers above to clip coupons and shop online. Here are a few more ways to save money that you may not have thought of.

• Outlet stores – You can find just about everything you may be looking for at an outlet, from designer purses to toys and electronics. Usually these items are slightly less than perfect, so be sure to inspect them before buying. Sometimes they are just last year’s overstock.
• Many credit cards companies allow you to turn reward points in for gift cards. Get some and give them as gifts or use them yourself to buy a gift.
• If you have hotel or airline reward points, check out their gift catalog and pick out a great free gift for someone.
• Do not buy something for yourself every time you buy a gift. If this is a problem, then add yourself to your list of who you need to buy for and how much you are going to spend on you! Keep it in your budget.
• Make some of your gifts – You don’t necessarily need to be crafty. Check your local craft store or go to great gifts to make online.
• Once you have your list of who and what you are going to buy, if you have to go to the mall, or a shopping area, try to do it in one trip. Save time and gas!

Traveling during the Holidays

If you are planning on traveling to see friends and relatives during this holiday season, or if this is when you take a much-needed vacation, here are a few ways to save money.

• If you are traveling by car to see family during the holidays, check and see if any other family members near your Fresno Apartment would like to carpool with you.
• If you haven’t had your car tuned up lately, take it in and have your oil changed, fluids checked and tire pressure checked. Then when you start on your trip, drive the speed limit…you get better gas mileage.
• If you plan on flying this holiday season, check now to find the best deal. If you can be flexible, check different days and different times of day. It can make a big difference in the price.
• If you have frequent flyer points, but not enough to buy a ticket, check into buying points and see if it saves you any money.
• If you can wait until the week before and you are flexible, go to Last Minute Cheap Flights and Travel Zoo to check out their specials.

Photo by: almost witty

We all want to have a memorable holiday season and save money, so decide what is important to you. If you don’t spend money on decorating so that you can go home for the holidays, or wear last years holiday outfit so that you can buy a gift for toys for tots, then do it. Memories will last forever, but some things just disappear and are forgotten after the holiday season.

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